Stop Beating Women in Politics: PPP Women

The women's wing of the progressive People's Party (PPP) has monitored with keen interest, the alleged attacks and brutalities meted out to the aspiring member of Parliament (MP) for the Ablekuma South Constituency, Ursula Owusu by some marauding thugs believed to be ardent followers of the ruling party National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Odododiodio constituency of the Greater Accra region on Wednesday 11 April 2012.

Our interest in this matter is greatly bedded on the fact that, an attack on one woman is an attack on all women and we wish to use this platform to raise some pertinent issues with regards to this development.

After a careful examination of what triggered the molestation of one of Ghana's finest woman in politics in Ghana, we the women's wing of PPP will seize the absolute platform to condemn the action of the NDC supporters, who decided to unleash sever beatings on Madam Ursula Owusu instead of being civil and following the due process.

We don't see why women should be violated only on the basis of monitoring the ongoing Biometric Registration exercise; an act that discourages women from involving themselves into politics. Meanwhile, there have been many talks about women involvement in politics and if so, why then should this happen when women are involving themselves in it?

Though, there are conflicting reports on the conduct of Madam Ursula Owusu, there is no absolute justification for her throbbing at the polling station by these NDC boys. Against this backdrop, PPP women's wing is urging the Police Administration to, as a matter of national importance, institute full scale investigation into what transpired yesterday between Ursula and the NDC boys.

We believe that it is the Electoral Commission (EC) together with the security agencies that are to take the necessary measures to address the act of violence, which is gradually creeping into our body politics in recent times, especially those against women.

The views of women in politics must be accepted and cherished like their male counterparts. Ursula needs justice in this matter and the police must do exactly that, before the ongoing Biometric Registration ends.

We would appreciate it if the Police take immediate measures to make sure that those NDC boys are brought to book as a matter of urgency. We also wish to use the opportunity to advice Madam Ursula Owusu and supporters of other political parties to refrain from acts that are likely to invite such confrontations and aggravated violence. We believe the Electoral Commission is credible and able to do its job without party agents unlawfully interfering with the registration process. Awake Ghana!

Evelyn Osafo
0241113519
Member
PPP Women's Committee